Further defeat for Fan Zhendong but Bayi recovers to maintain title challenge

26 Nov 2016

A second defeat of the campaign for Fan Zhendong but Bayi emerged successful in their contest against Shanghai in the Chinese Men’s Super League on Saturday 26th November and thus maintained their challenge for honours.

After 12 rounds they are in second place behind Shandong Weiqiao, who accounted Tianjin in their most recent encounter.

In round 11 when facing Bazhou, Fan Zhendong had been beaten by Liang Jinkun (11-7, 12-10, 9-11, 13-11). In opposition to Shanghai he experienced defeat at the hands of Shang Kun in the opening match of the fixture (8-11, 3-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-1).

Not the best of starts for Bayi and matters went from bad to worse. In an equally close encounter, Xu Xin beat Zhou Yu (11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-1), before a doubles win by Xu Chenhao and Zhou Yu against Jeoung Youngsik and Shang Kun (11-5, 5-11, 7-5) sparked a recovery.

Full distance successes for Bayi and Shenzhen; it was the same for Bazhou against Jiangsu.

Man of the moment for Bazhou was Liang Jinkun. He beat both Chuang Chih-Yuan (11-8, 11-7, 11-9) and Zheng Peifeng (11-6, 11-9, 12-10). The one further win for the victors was clinched by Wang Chuqin; in the vital fifth and concluding match of the fixture, he accounted for Sun Wen (11-7, 11-8). The wins for Jiangsu were recorded by Zheng Peifeng against Fan Shengpeng (4-11, 13-15, 16-14, 14-12, 8-6) and in the doubles when Cai Wei and Kong Lingxuan overcame Cheng Jingqi and Fan Shengpeng (11-7, 13-11).

Meanwhile, in the remaining two 12th round fixtures, the outcomes were more decisive.

Anhui beat Shandong Luneng by three matches to one; Shandong Weiqiao recorded a three-nil win in opposition to Tianjin.

Yu Ziyang, the 2014 World Junior Champion, proved the mainstay of the Anhui victory. He overcame both Hao Shuai (11-3, 9-11, 10-12, 11-9, 7-5) and Fang Bo (11-9, 9-11, 13-11, 11-9). The one further win for Anhui was recorded in the doubles when Wong Chun Ting and Zhou Qihao beat Hao Shuai and Zhang Chao (11-5, 11-7); for Shandong Luneng, the one success was secured courtesy of Fang Bo. In the second match of the fixture he overcame Zhou Qihao (7-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8).

Impressive from Anhui, it was even more impressive from Shandong Weiqiao; the quartet comprising Lin Gaoyuan, Ma Long, Xue Fei and Yan An was in no mood for charity.

Yan An gave his team the perfect start by beating Liu Dingshuo (11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10), before Ma Long accounted for Yu Xinhang (11-2, 11-6, 11-5) and a doubles success concluded matters. Lin Gaoyuang and Xue Fei joined forces to beat Fang Yinchi and Yu Xinhang in three games (11-6, 9-11, 8-6).

The win means that Shandong Weiqiao maintain their lead at the top of the table (24 points) ahead of Bayi (22 points); Bazhou is now clear in third position (21 points) with Shanghai (20 points) being the next in line (21 points).

Shandong Luneng is in fifth place (19 points) being ahead of Shenzhen (17 points), Anhui (16 points) and Jiangsu (15 points); Tianjin (14 points) and Sichuan without a win all year (12 points) complete the table.